Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Commercial and Industrial Designers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH make a median of $104,470 a year, or about $50.23 an hour. The range runs from $74K at the entry level to $159K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $96,490 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 44.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $104K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
About commercial and industrial designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level commercial and industrial designers (10th percentile) start around $74K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K.Top earners bring in $159K or more - a $85K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial and Industrial Designers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $107K | +34% | 450 |
| Kansas | $100K | +26% | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $99K | +25% | 1,020 |
| Indiana | $94K | +18% | 400 |
| Rhode Island | $93K | +17% | 210 |
| California | $93K | +17% | 4,530 |
| Nevada | $88K | +11% | 170 |
| Michigan | $85K | +8% | 2,580 |
| New York | $85K | +7% | 2,140 |
| South Carolina | $84K | +5% | 470 |
| Georgia | $82K | +3% | 460 |
| New Jersey | $81K | +2% | 1,030 |
| Arizona | $81K | +2% | 290 |
| Arkansas | $80K | +1% | 230 |
| Montana | $79K | -0% | 70 |
Track commercial and industrial designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial and industrial designers make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $104,470 a year - that works out to about $50.23 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,930, and experienced commercial and industrial designers can clear $158,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,388/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a commercial and industrial designers salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial and industrial designers salary is worth about $96,490 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do commercial and industrial designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.